Tamil Nadu is known as the Land of Temples for their magnificent reflection of a rich history from the time of various dynasties and kingdoms. The Temple architectural marvels showcase the artistic and cultural excellence of the region. In This article we are going to visit temple’s history, their architecture style etc.
Thillai Nataraja Temple
The Nataraja temple is located in Chidambaram. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Nataraja (cosmic dancer) the ‘Thillai Nataraja Temple’ is one of the most ancient temples of Tamil Nadu known for both religious and architectural significance. The most unique characteristic of the Nataraja Temple is the bejewelled image of Nataraj. The temple has five main Halls or Sabhas namely the Kanaka Sabha, the Cit Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha. The Nataraja Temple is also one of the ‘Panchabhuta Sthalas’ with each one dedicated to five elements of the universe – earth, air, water, fire and space; this temple signifies the fifth element, space.
The Architecture
The temple is believed to have been built during the time of Pallava rule in the 11th century and further renovations were made during Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara reign. The roof of Chit Sabha is made of gold and is believed to have been built during the Chola rule. The temple also has a shrine for Sivakamasundri known as the Sivakami Amman Temple and a 1000 pillared hall designed in the form of a chariot. The lofty gopurams of the temple are ornamented with carvings of Hindu gods, various manifestations of Lord Shiva and dancers representing 108 postures of Bharatnatyam.
Temple Active Timings – 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Jambukeshwara Temple
Jambukeshwara Temple Located on the Srirangam, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva Lingam is in the form of Appu Lingam (water lingam) and there is an underground stream flowing underneath the Shivling from which water continuously flows out. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams and each of the lingams representing Shiva in the temple have five different names based on the elements they represent.
The Architecture
Jambukeswarar temple is that it was built by Kocengannan (Kochenga Chola), one of the Early Cholas, around 1,800 years ago. The Temple is a Dravidian style of architecture. It has 7 tiered Gopuram adorned with delicate carvings which depicts the artistic grandeur of Chola Kingdom. An architectural spectacle, endowed with high roofs and five Prakaramas (corridors). It spreads across a vast area of 18 acres.
Temple Active Timings - 6:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00 to 9:30pm
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is located in Kancheepuram. The temple largely relates to Shaivism, yet also includes a significant number of themes from Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Vedic deities. Carved entirely out of sandstone, the temple is the oldest temple in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Shiva with its main sanctum enshrining a 16 sided Shivling made of a black granite. The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. Within the walls of the main shrine there is padabhanda adhisthana (main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted Nandi.
The Architecture
The temple was built around 700 CE with additions in the 8th century and restorations in later centuries. It is the first structural temple built in South India by Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), also known as Rajasimha Pallaveswaram. His son, Mahendravarman III, completed the front façade and the gopuram (tower).
Temple Active Timings - 6:00am to 12:30 and 4:00 to 6:30pm
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple is located in Kancheepuram. In the Temple Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar or Rajlingeswaram. The temples of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam, or the five elements. Lord Shiva is represented by his most famous symbol, the lingam, and this particular one is known as Prithvi Lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Elavarkuzhali. Also the most special is the 3500 years old mango tree under which Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva is still there and still bears mangoes and that too of four different types.
The Architecture
The Temple was built by the Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya. An architectural marvel, the Ekambareswarar Temple is spread over a vast area of 40 acres and the raja gopuram (main entrance) rises to an imposing height of 172 ft. The 1000 pillared hall adorning carvings of 1008 Shiva Lingam is believed to be added by the Vijayanagara kings during the 15th century. The inner sanctum houses the Prithvi Lingam.
Temple Active Timings - 6:00am to 12:30 and 4:00 to 8:30pm
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy temple is located in Rameswaram, is considered a holy pilgrimage site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Besides being one of the holy ‘Chardham’, the temple is also counted amongst the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Mythological accounts depict the presiding deity, the Lingam of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva), as having been established and worshiped by Rama, before he crossed his bridge to the present-day island of Sri Lanka. It was believed that there were 22 arrows in the quiver of Lord Ram. You can take blessings of water from these 22 wells located in the corridor of Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The Architecture
The structure of this temple is believed to have been built during 12th century CE by the Pandya rulers. Ramanathaswamy Temple was built in the Dravidian style with limestone and granite. The tallest of its 4 Gopurams stands at the height of 126 feet meters.The wall from east to west is 85 feet long and spans 675 feet from north to south. The temple is also acknowledged for housing the longest corridor hall in India made of almost 1000 intricately carved granite pillars. A colossal statue of Nandi 6 meters tall also grabs the attention of many.
Temple Active Timings – 5:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.